https://store.mossyoak.com/ameristep-care-taker-blind-i-10012393
Have never hunted out of a blind, I'm looking to carry my five year old son with me.
Found this one on sale, has anyone used this blind? or could recommend another...
Lighter weight and easy setup would be a plus, to make us a little more mobile, thx for any help.
I'm a Double Bull blind, but that looks like a nice one. Not to be a smarty pants kind of guy, but since you've never had a blind, the "shoot through mesh" is for archers, not gunners.
For Quality and Durability I would have a Double Bull Blind, You can usually find a Rebate and Sale on them coming up here in March, I have a number of them from older T2's to BS5 and Dark Horses and now the Double Wide Deluxe. Beyond having a lifetime warranty the are excellent blinds, I use these for mentored hunts, youth hunts, learn to hunts and for my new to turkey hunters as well, I also do video work out of them. My oldest Double Bull is 12years now, well worth the money.
The Deluxe (5 hub) is not a "lightweight" blind, thinking it's 20+ pounds. Not really for run & gun for me if I am doing that I use my T2 and in the 11lb range.
MK M GOBL
Quote from: 2eagles on February 24, 2019, 12:10:15 PM
I'm a Double Bull blind, but that looks like a nice one. Not to be a smarty pants kind of guy, but since you've never had a blind, the "shoot through mesh" is for archers, not gunners.
Not to say your wrong but we never have the mesh in for turkey, bow or shotgun no need. Different game on whitetails...
A little more DP42912
Just need to make sure you are "blacked out" behind you, when set right no light to pass through. motion will give you away otherwise. I set a blind as a "Diamond" to my set, not a square. This gives you more usable room. If you intend to leave a blind up (Private) never would on public. Make sure to completly stake it down, or the wind can damage them.
MK M GOBL
That probably isnt to bad of a blind. I looked at one set up at Cabelas. It seemed ok,but not as well made as the old intimidators.
I wouldnt trade my Ameristep blinds for a Double Bull. In fact I would trade my barely used Double Bull for a Ameristep Intimadater in a heartbeat.Wish they still made them. I still have a 2nd Double Bull in the box never taken out. Thought id like them and bought 2 and don't like them at all. Goodluck.
This maybe another choice for you, comes with 2 seats built into it. I am sure you can find it cheaper. There is a weight limit on it, I will have to pull mine out and get that for you. If you are under 300 lbs. yourself then I think you are fine with your son but again I will pull it out and get the exact weight limit for you. https://ads.midwayusa.com/product/239292/ameristep-deluxe-tent-chair-ground-blind-61-x-60-x-52-polyester-realtree-edge-camo
Quote from: 2eagles on February 24, 2019, 12:10:15 PM
I'm a Double Bull blind, but that looks like a nice one. Not to be a smarty pants kind of guy, but since you've never had a blind, the "shoot through mesh" is for archers, not gunners.
Oh, I just assumed you could fold the mesh out of the way if you wanted?.?.
Thx for the info.
Quote from: DP42912 on February 24, 2019, 01:48:16 PM
Quote from: 2eagles on February 24, 2019, 12:10:15 PM
I'm a Double Bull blind, but that looks like a nice one. Not to be a smarty pants kind of guy, but since you've never had a blind, the "shoot through mesh" is for archers, not gunners.
Oh, I just assumed you could fold the mesh out of the way if you wanted?.?.
Thx for the info.
It's removeable, I take mine out for turkey.
MK M GOBL
Ameristep makes very decent blinds for the money. I've had one for years that has seen its share of use. I've used fishing line and epoxy to fix some tears, but it's still going. You likely can pick up another model that has a more woodsy pattern for the same money. I'm not sure it makes any difference to the turkeys. The Ameristep blinds are lighter than many others that may be considered higher quality.
I'm a run and gun guy so I only use them when it's pouring rain or I have kids with me. One thing I have found is that they get tight awful quick with a second person in them. Now I use my Ameristep if it's just me and I have a huge Pentagon if I go with anyone else. https://www.barronettblinds.com/Product/blind-pentagon-backwoods-camo-7459 (https://www.barronettblinds.com/Product/blind-pentagon-backwoods-camo-7459)
Just need to make sure you are "blacked out" behind you, when set right no light to pass through. motion will give you away otherwise. I set a blind as a "Diamond" to my set, not a square. This gives you more usable room. If you intend to leave a blind up (Private) never would on public. Make sure to completly stake it down, or the wind can damage them.
Good advice thank you....
Quote from: Timmer on February 24, 2019, 01:50:41 PM
Ameristep makes very decent blinds for the money. I've had one for years that has seen its share of use. I've used fishing line and epoxy to fix some tears, but it's still going. You likely can pick up another model that has a more woodsy pattern for the same money. I'm not sure it makes any difference to the turkeys. The Ameristep blinds are lighter than many others that may be considered higher quality.
I'm a run and gun guy so I only use them when it's pouring rain or I have kids with me. One thing I have found is that the get tight awful quick with a second person in them. Now I use my Ameristep if it's just me and I have a huge Pentagon if I go with anyone else. https://www.barronettblinds.com/Product/blind-pentagon-backwoods-camo-7459 (https://www.barronettblinds.com/Product/blind-pentagon-backwoods-camo-7459)
Love the room of my Pentagon but the corners started to fall apart on me the first year. Could not return it because Gander Mountain went out of business.
For 50 more bucks I like the cabelas ground hunter. I've have both a double bull and the cabelas brand. Prefer the cabelas, the DB is better built but dollar for dollar the ground is a better choice IMO. Plus the bag it comes in is much easier to deal with over the DB. I also had one similar to the model your looking at and the windows are tall for a kid to shoot out of.
Quote from: dirt road ninja on February 24, 2019, 02:00:27 PM
For 50 more bucks I like the cabelas ground hunter. I've have both a double bull and the cabelas brand. Prefer the cabelas, the DB is better built but dollar for dollar the ground is a better choice IMO. Plus the bag it comes in is much easier to deal with over the DB. I also had one similar to the model your looking at and the windows are tall for a kid to shoot out of.
I'm guessing you have the old DB bag where you needed to slide the whole blind into the bag, the new zippered bags are way easier. If that old style I came up with a way to make it go easy. I have a lashing strap with an alligator clamp I wrap around the blind once you fold it down, works awesome, clamp tightens down as you pull and compresses the blind, do this with all my DB's makes them easy to handle.
MK M GOBL
The one your looking at will work for you if thats what you want to get. With everything you can alway find one a little better. The bigget thing I have witnessed abot blinds is if they shine or not. The cheeper ones most of the times are a vinyl and have a shine to them when the sun hits them right. Blinds were made for when you have young kids with that can't sit still, there great. And yes you don't need the mesh for turkey hunting, but you don't need to remove unless want to. It dose get in the way if filming, but other wise can stick gun barrel out any corner. And I would rather have extra camo, inbetween me and a turkey eyes anytime I have kids with me in a blind.
If you can find one look at a Barronett blind. They are a good blind and can be had pretty cheap.
Rogers sporting goods is haven a sale right now.
I have hunted out of a blind a lot. My favorite is the older double bull models. However, there are a bunch of good blinds out there. A blind is perfect for hunting with a kid, as you can get away with a lot of movement.
I have a double wide double bull ground blind that I use when hunting a field edge. It has the 180^ window in front that can be adjusted from narrow to wide open. I really like the blind, especially when hunting on rainy days. I would love to have one of the new double bull surround view blinds but can't justify buying another blind. You might also want to look at a Rhino blind which are similar to the double bull but a little cheaper.
Thanks everyone, very helpful forum...
I'm going with a small 11 lb. 55"x55" footprint blind, so now I need to find a couple small chairs that will fit in there...
Took this 60"-60"-66" dog house out for first time yesterday with my 8-yr old, plenty of room for two chairs.
Doubt I'd haul 2-miles in when it's just me - 12 lbs adds up.
Only mod would be to close in the main opening a bit.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078H74Q2C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078H74Q2C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
We use an assortment of blinds for deer season. I have an Ameristep Care Taker, and I'm not sure I would want to go any smaller for my son and me. Our Double Bull Deluxe has more room, but it's heavy. We hunt out of either, because we use a small deer cart to wheel the blind, chairs, shooting rests, etc. in and out of the woods, and that helps a LOT.
Good luck. I used a doghouse with my kids for 6 years with it being left out all season. I used the folding camp chairs for the kids. When they were 5/6/7 the would curl up in them and go to sleep. If it was cold I would bring a blanket and they would often fall asleep. I found sleeping kept them from getting board as quick. You may need something to boost them up in the chair as well. I always prepped them for what might happen like a turkey coming in while they were asleep and them needing to wake up with out doing a lot of moving around just in case the bird was right in front of us. I also had them use the hearing protection head phones with the microphone that cuts out with loud noises. Mentally prepare yourself for him to unintentionally scare away a 25 # tom and not turn it into a bad time. There is nothing more I enjoy than hunting with my kids. Don't force them, my son started coming with me on hunts at 5 (scouting at 4) and did not want to shoot until he was 8. He shot a bird at 8 and had a blast, didn't even notice the recoil from his single shot 20Ga., the next year at 9 he decided he only want to come along and not shoot, the following year at 10 he wanted to shoot again, we were both on the same tree and the birds came in his way, He called his own shot and took a nice jake. My point is don't push them, just make it fun. Enjoy! Oh yea, bring good snacks, I would let them have candy for breakfast in the blind and make it something special.
This is the one i picked up when my son started hunting with me, think he was 4. When i bought mine, either it was on sale or there was a rebate but i remember spending fifty bucks on it. It folds up, not terribly heavy and the bag it fits in has back pack straps. Best advice i can give from my experience with a 4 year old, bring snacks and entertainment of some sort and depending on his patience level, be prepared to come home early. lol
https://www.basspro.com/shop/en/ameristep-doghouse-ground-blind
Check out a deception blind by alps. I used a bigger one when my kids were smaller. The extra room to move around worked for us. Good luck brother
Thanks fellas, I was worried the 55"/55" would be to small but it fits two of us just fine with two camp chairs. Private land will be no problem but when hunting public I'll probably take my deer cart and pile everything on it when one of the kids come along.
Look at the Blind Hog pack if you need to mule a lot of stuff in. I can get my Dbl Bull Dbl wide, 2 chairs, 4 pieces of 16 inch long rebar I use for stakes and my gun in that pack and it carries comfortably with my hands free...
Quote from: spaightlabs on March 14, 2019, 08:49:33 AM
Look at the Blind Hog pack if you need to mule a lot of stuff in. I can get my Dbl Bull Dbl wide, 2 chairs, 4 pieces of 16 inch long rebar I use for stakes and my gun in that pack and it carries comfortably with my hands free...
That pack looks perfect. I just ordered one! Thanks
Quote from: spaightlabs on March 14, 2019, 08:49:33 AM
Look at the Blind Hog pack if you need to mule a lot of stuff in. I can get my Dbl Bull Dbl wide, 2 chairs, 4 pieces of 16 inch long rebar I use for stakes and my gun in that pack and it carries comfortably with my hands free...
I just use my military seabag. Works pretty similar. If hunting fields, I also just strap it to a golf bag cart and wheel it right to the spot.
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